On To Nationals: Campeonato Internacional

While all eyes at the 2012 IDPA Nationals will probably be focused on Bob Vogel, America’s best shooter who is working on an unbelievable win streak, one of the most interesting match-ups worth following will take place among the contingent of international shooters which accounts for just over 10% of all competitors.

With 37 shooters representing Austria, Costa Rica, Italy, Mexico, Romania, United Kingdom and Venezuela, as well as the U.S. Territory of Puerto Rico, the race for the Campeonato Internacional – or International Championship – is the match within the match.

Here’s who you need to keep an eye on…

Rodrigo Carvajal of Team Costa Rica
Rodrigo Carvajal, competing this year in ESP, finished 2nd SSP Master in this year’s Costa Rican National Championship and took 1st CDP Expert at the IDPA European Cup. Well known among American shooters, Rodrigo will be pulling double-duty during the match, competing for Team Costa Rica and working the match as a CSO on stages 15 & 16.

Juan Carlos Gonzalez of Team Venezuela
Juan Carlos Gonzalez, recognized for being a very accurate shooter, finished 5th ESP Master at the Smith & Wesson Indoor Nationals. He’ll again be competing head-to-head with the ESP shooters.

Nelso Lopez Iglesias of Team Venezuela
Nelso Lopez Iglesias finished 3rd SSP Master at the 2012 Costa Rican National Championship and took 1st SSP Master this year at the inaugural National Championship of Puerto Rico. Look for him to be in the thick of of among the SSP shooters in North Carolina.

Ricardo Zanotti of Team Venezuela
Ricardo Zanotti won ESP Expert at the Smith & Wesson Indoor Nationals. A strong showing from Ricardo and you’ll find him in contention for this year’s High International honors.

David Bento of Team Venezuela
David Bento of Team Venezuela is the defending High International Champion having taken the title at last year’s IDPA World Shoot. David won SSP Expert at the World Shoot with a time that would have placed him 4th among the Master class shooters. He also won the SSP division title at the National Championship of Puerto Rico. Simply put, this is his to loose.

Also worth noting is that both Costa Rica and Venezuela will have a junior shooter competing this year. While there is no Junior International title up for grabs, some friendly bragging rights are on the line when Gino Lanzoni, SSP Sharpshooter of Team Costa Rica, and Jorge Sleiman, Jr., ESP Sharpshooter of Team Venezuela, step foot on the range.